Chapter 23: So Now, Take My Hand

“It’s so hot…”

Days whirl by in a blur. Before I knew it, it’s July. The temperature is rising steadily, and the sun’s rays seem determined to scorch humanity.

Around this time of year, it’s normally hell, but the Isshiki household is different now.

“You can keep the air conditioning on, but make sure you close the doors properly. And don’t sit directly in front of the air vents.”

We’re able to say things like that now. No more relying on a rickety old fan and paper fans from the electronics store, like last year. Our home is comfortable, and everyone is smiling.

On a Saturday morning, the train was less crowded than usual.

After getting ready as always, I arrived at the gate at the agreed time. Shiraishi-san also arrived at the same time, wearing her dungeon attire and carrying her staff. The black robe with yellow lines suited her well.

“Good morning. Sorry for taking up your day off.”
“It’s no problem. Even on a day off, there’s not much to do, so I’m grateful you invited me.”

“No, thank you.”

Uh-oh.
Being exposed to Shiraishi-san’s smile up close for the first time in a while, I feel purified to the point I might vanish.

Concealing my nerves, I enter the gate.
This dimly lit passageway of the [Labyrinth of Beginnings] has become quite familiar.

“It feels kind of strange, coming to the dungeon with you again, Isshiki-kun.”
“Has it already been two months since then? Time flies.”

“You’ve gotten stronger, Isshiki-kun.”

Shiraishi-san smiles as she looks at me. I feel like denying it would be wrong, but nodding makes me feel shy, so I just smile vaguely.

“I still have a long way to go.”

I acknowledge I’ve grown. But I’m still lacking the power I need.
If I face the Undead King in my current state, I would undoubtedly suffer a crushing defeat. I’m lacking in strategy and strength—everything.

“It’s fine. You’re already much stronger than I am. And you’ll keep getting stronger.”
“You really think I’m stronger than you, Shiraishi-san?”

I glance at Shiraishi-san walking beside me. She breaks into a slightly troubled smile.

Probably.
Probably, Shiraishi-san is convincing herself. She’s not just flattering me. But it doesn’t feel like she’s saying it from the bottom of her heart, either.

“I can’t search as far as you can, Shiraishi-san.”
“……”

“And that technique you use to provoke opponents by channeling mana, that’s incredibly difficult. Honestly, I don’t feel like I can do it.”
“Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.”

“True. So saying I’m stronger is a bit of an exaggeration.”

On my first attempt, I felt nothing, but now after growing somewhat, I can understand Shiraishi-san’s skill while walking beside her. Her prowess isn’t rough. The mana surrounding her feels more refined than that of others.

Skills necessary for adventurers aren’t limited to combat strength. If you’re not good at fighting, you can avoid combat altogether. Someone who has mastered escape and someone who has mastered fighting are both excellent adventurers.

Shiraishi-san shakes her head and changes the topic.

“Are you getting along well with Yuko?”
“It’s going well. It’s much more reassuring than being alone.”

“That’s good.”

Shiraishi-san said with a sense of relief.
She still cares about Kirishima, her old comrade.

We make our way out of the dark labyrinth and reach the forest. Sunlight and the bustle of life greet us.

Finding a spot where the trees have cleared, it’s a perfect setting to use magic. I faced Shiraishi-san, whose eyes were shining brightly as she held her staff.

“I’ve been looking forward to seeing your magic, Isshiki-kun.”
“Thank you. I’ll start with the one I messed up last time.”

“Is it, perhaps…?”

I nod vigorously to Shiraishi-san, who’s gripping her staff tightly.
Just like last time, I move my left hand.

“Molecular Interference, Dissociation, Conductor Generation.”

Up to this point, it’s the same as before. Sparks fly in my hand, and a sharp pain of static electricity shoots through. I transform the mana, then sever it.

“Insulation—[Lightning Flash]!”

A bolt of lightning leaps from my fingertip, striking a nearby tree. It’s not powerful enough to cause a fire, just enough to scorch the surface a bit.

“That’s how it is.”
“Wow! Amazing! It doesn’t jolt you anymore.”

“I’m sorry for the trouble last time.”

If Shiraishi-san hadn’t helped me then, it might have been dangerous.
Leaving aside that without her, I couldn’t have learned this magic in the first place.

“The one I really want you to see is next. Is that okay?”
“Of course, anytime.”

I give a slight bow, then tap the ground with the tip of my shoe.

I dislike snow.
But, I love these words. I read them in a book long ago, and they’ve stayed with me ever since.

“Marine Snow.”

I channel cold magic into every nerve in my body. Though it takes a bit of time to set up, once cast, it can continue unconsciously.

Shiraishi-san blinks several times, looking at me. Judging by the mana movement alone, she seems to have an inkling of what I’ve done. Her insight is something I still lack.

“It’s similar to Falling Blossoms Flowing Water, but slightly different.”
“I’ve only tweaked it a bit, the base is Falling Blossoms, Flowing Water. What I changed is the target and method of counterattack.”

We lock eyes and I take a breath before continuing.

“The target for counterattack is ‘any target with magic power below a certain level.’ The range is about a 10-meter radius centered on me. I’d like to expand it a little more.”
“Could it be…?”

“Probably as you imagined. The method of counterattack is—”

This point is the biggest difference from [Falling Blossoms, Flowing Water].

Both our voices unite to form a singular sound.

“Magic.”

Shiraishi-san grips her staff and casts a fire spell around me.
Within it, any magic too weak freezes and shatters before its structure is completed. Tiny particles fall to the ground like snow.

Shiraishi-san nods, understanding everything.

“Creating a spell to counter the curse… Truly, Isshiki-kun, you’re beyond extraordinary.”
“Thank you.”

With this, I no longer have to fight while worrying about my back.
I’ll never have to see that thing again.

“Why did you show this to me?”
“Because I want to protect more than just Kirishima-san with this magic.”

Before my eyes, Shiraishi-san’s expression stiffens.

“…Do you mean me too?”
“Yes.”

“I can’t. I’m someone who’s already given up. Unlike Yuko, I ran away.”
“I’m not saying it was wrong to run, or that you should take revenge.”

In a situation where no right answer exists, they just chose something.
I can’t judge their choice. It’s not just me—no one can.

“Having you by my side is reassuring, and I believe it would bring us closer to defeating the Undead King. But that’s not all. Adventuring with Kirishima-san, learning from her, I realized because she smiled at me that no matter how many hardships accumulate, the joyful moments don’t disappear. Even just a bit of warm memory is enough for us to move forward. You’ve moved forward too, that’s why you’re here.”

I walked up and extended my right hand.
Her face was stiff and she couldn’t smile properly. Shiraishi-san looked down and hid her face in her hair.

“If you still have hope—. Would you take my hand and adventure with us?”

◇

Cursed.
Cursed for not being able to protect her comrades.
Cursed for letting her comrades be killed.

Even if he were to appear as a ghost, Haruto wouldn’t blame her. That’s why Haruka blames herself.

No matter how many nights pass, even after the Undead King is defeated, this curse will never disappear.

And yet.

On the path she continued to run away on, she was told that she had “walked” it.
That single word made something inside her crumble.

Hot, heavy droplets fell to the ground. She bit her lip. Still, the tears wouldn’t stop, and even as she desperately wiped them away with her hands, they continued to flow relentlessly. As did the words.

“Is it really okay…? For someone like me… to be with you, Isshiki-kun… and Yuko?”

She raised her head.
Light burst in, and beyond it, the boy was smiling.

“You’re more than welcome.”

He knows pain.
He knows despair.

Yet, because there are things he cannot abandon, Itsuki Isshiki is here.

That’s why he reached out his hand.

So now, Haruka took that hand.